In March 2005 Canterbury Health Laboratories was designated the New Zealand National Measles Laboratory.
This was in response to a request from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for New Zealand's active participation in WHO's global measles programme.
The objectives of the NZ National Measles laboratory are to
- Provide laboratory support for measles surveillance and outbreak investigation;
- provide laboratory confirmation of serologically identified measles cases;
- collect samples from clinically suspected measles cases to identify measles virus strains;
- participate in the WHO regional laboratory network.
Measles Information for Health Professional - August 2009 *New*
Measles Still Circulating - Otago Times 25 April 2009
World Health Organisation accredited, 2008